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Executive Director, Government Accounting

Executive Director, Government Accounting

The Government of Nova ScotiaHALIFAX, NS, CA
23 days ago
Job description

Competition # :   45107

Department :   Finance and Treasury Board

Location :   HALIFAX

Type of Employment :   Permanent

Union Status : Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date :   12-Feb-25  (Applications are accepted until 11 : 59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

At the Department of Finance and Treasury Board, we work to preserve the financial capacity of the Province’s programs and services by providing the Government of Nova Scotia advice on fiscal sustainability.  We strive to provide financial leadership, analysis, and policy development to ensure government priorities are well coordinated and fiscally responsible.  As stewards of the Province’s financial affairs, we deliver a wide range of corporate fiscal management services, including the preparation of the provincial budget, financial accounting and reporting, forecasting, borrowing, lending, financial advisory, taxation and gaming, pension and financial institution regulation, and labour relations.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Controller, the Executive Director, Government Accounting is accountable for overseeing three divisions : (1) Financial Accounting, (2) Capital Markets Administration and Compliance, and (3) Internal Controls and Municipal Finance.  The Executive Director leads the development, implementation, and maintenance of accounting policies, provision of expert accounting advice through the complete reporting cycle, completion of year-end consolidated financial statements for the Province of Nova Scotia, and provision of sound financial reporting in accordance with generally accepting accounting principles.

This position also supports the Capital Markets Administration and Compliance Division in the completion of back-office accounting, administration, and debt management policy compliance functions related to the Province’s debt issuances and treasury operations undertaken by the Department of Finance and Treasury Board.

The Executive Director also provides expert accounting and debt management advice on complex issues to municipal clients and internal controls matters to senior management, departments, and controlled entities as well as develops and maintains strong partnerships and collaborative relationships with municipal leaders to help them with long-term debt solutions and strategies in support of their sustainable financial management.

Primary Accountabilities

  • Oversee the provision of sound financial accounting opinions and reporting advice.
  • Ensure the integrity of the Province’s general ledger and subsidiary financial information systems and the production of sound financial reporting.
  • Oversee fiscal year-end processes for the Province of Nova Scotia, including preparation of all volumes of the Public Accounts.
  • Support Capital Markets Administration functions to maintain complete and accurate accounting and reporting for debt issuances, investments, and bank reconciliations.
  • Oversee and guide the Province’s compliance functions in the following areas :

Annual Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICFR) program

  • SAP Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) system, including Access Control and Process Control
  • Tracking Auditor General Recommendations (TAGR) process
  • Qualifications and Experience

    The ideal candidate will have a university degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Commerce, Finance, or Business Administration), along with a professional accounting designation (CPA), plus several years of progressive leadership experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a professional / financial management role.

    An acceptable equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.

    In addition to the above, the following skills and experience are required :

  • Proven ability to exercise sound judgement and set priorities.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of specific accounting, operational, and financial issues.
  • Experience in interpreting public sector accounting standards as well as other industry best practices for financial statement preparation, capital market compliance, internal controls over financial reporting, and payment card industry standards.
  • Exceptional communication skills (written and verbal) and ability to build and maintain relationships. Strong attention to detail, with a demonstrated history of providing expert advice and accurate information.
  • Strong time management, research, and analytical skills to work with multiple departments with conflicting objectives to provide practical options and solutions.
  • Sound knowledge of SAP, or comparable large Enterprise Resource Planning Application (ERP), and experience with system migration projects.
  • We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools : written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

    LEADS

    The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework.  During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviours and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment.  LEADS Domains include Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions and Systems Transformation.  Please follow  LEADS (novascotia.ca)  for more information.

    Equivalency

    Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

    Benefits

    Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan , Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here : Benefits for government employees .

    Working Conditions

    This position is based in a comfortable office environment in Halifax.  Occasional travel within Nova Scotia and Canada is required.  Standard hours of work are 35 hours / week from Monday to Friday.

    What We Offer

  • Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
  • Engaging workplace : our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
  • Countless career paths
  • Pay Grade :   EC 16

    Salary Range :   $5,447.43 - $6,809.27 Bi-Weekly

    Employment Equity Statement :

    Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve.  The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented.  If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

    Current government employees may access this posting through the link below :

    PLEASE NOTE : Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

    Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to

    Competitions@novascotia.ca.

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    Executive Director, Government Accounting • HALIFAX, NS, CA